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“Slowly turn,” Gunner commanded the others on the bridge. “And come back this way.” He nodded. “That’s it. Good boy.”

Thane approached the closest male, lifting the point of his right sword to the guard’s throat. Sweat trickled down the side of his face and under the collar of his shirt. The willowy dark-haired elf raised his palms.

Tifapine popped out from the small pack on Thane’s back. “Better do what you’re told, elfy or you might lose your little peter.” She pointed a small knife at him. Thane rolled his eyes and shushed her; now she wanted to get brave? With a squeak, she ducked back inside. He had to remember he was carrying around this little creature for Layala’s sake.

“High Prince, you’re—alive.” The bridge guard gulped. “I will not fight you.”

“It’s High King,” Gunner barked. “The true king.”

“The imposter king,” the other guard spit. Leif kicked him in the side of the head and sent him flying into the stone of the bridge.

Thane lifted his chin slightly to the guard at the end of his sword. “Now then, will you kneel and swear allegiance to me? Or will you die here and now?”

The guard’s eyes followed the shiny length of the blade until they stopped on Thane’s face. Knees bending, he slowly went to the ground. “You have my loyalty, sire. I will follow your command until my last breath.” He gulped. “King Tenebris has joined forces with the pale ones. He brought one here, inside our very walls. I cannot stand behind him any longer.”

Thane lowered his weapon and checked on the two in the bell tower. They remained unnaturally still. “And how do the other guards feel? That I’m an imposter king? A traitor?”

“Somehow, they have—forgotten a pale one was here. It must be dark magic or something. They will be loyal to your father. He told us you tried to have him killed to take his place.”

Thane narrowed his eyes. “Butyoudidn’tforget?”

“When the pale one told us to forget we saw him and what he did after Lady Lightbringer tried to escape—everyone did. But I didn’t. I don’t know why.” His blue eyes glanced down a moment. “Lady Lightbringer killed eleven guards last night… I’m afraid she made many enemies. Before it was just following orders; now it’s personal.”

Thane grumbled. “Well, you’re holding her prisoner. What do you expect?” And most would never believe that their High King would associate with pale ones let alone invite them inside. So, Thane and Layala would be seen as the enemy and Tenebris the hero. Maker, how did Tenebris always have the upper hand?

“So, the others will fight me when I go inside to get Layala?”

“You don’t need to. They’re not here.” He sounded out of breath. “The king took your mate and left last night. And they took your Ravens, too.”

“Where?” he snarled.

Leaning back slightly, he answered, “I don’t know, but they went south.”

Leif stepped up beside Thane and put his hand on Thane’s shoulder. “You don’t think—he wouldn’t take her to the Void.”

The hairs on the back of Thane’s neck stood on end. The dirt road that led up the valley’s hillside was beaten down with heavy tracks of hoofprints, boots and wagon wheels. He cursed under his breath for not seeing it sooner. A cold sweat broke out over his body, and he swallowed down the rising nausea. “I think that’s exactly where he’s taking her.”

Chapter9

Layala’s backside grew numb hours before. The hard, wooden bench she sat on in the prison cart wasn’t meant for comfort. She suddenly longed for the cushy carriage Thane had taken her in months before. At least that was soft. The small, barred windows she peered out of now provided enough fresh air, but this was a cage. The wagon creaked, swayed, and bounced over the uneven road. Layala stood, going to the back door and wrapped her hands around the bars. A buzzing noise around her ears made her twitch. The flies in this cursed wagon wouldn’t leave her alone. The stench of the dried animal shit on the floor not only stung her nostrils but attracted pests. The bottom hem of her dress was filthy and reeked.

Dust billowed up from the horses and foot soldiers outside. One of them turned, heavy-lidded eyes found hers. There was sorrow there, but the elf beside him stared at her with utter hatred. She recognized him from the night before when she lost it and went on a killing spree. She wanted to ask the one with kind eyes to set her free, to stand against the tyrant king, but that would only get this elf killed, and probably his family too. She couldn’t ask him to risk everything for her. She couldn’t ask any of them.

What lies might Tenebris have told them about their precious savior—destroyer of the Void? Did they think they were taking her to save them now? Or that she was a traitor who’d taken Thane’s side and now was Tenebris’s prisoner. Loyal soldiers followed the orders of their king. Maybe they didn’t question what was happening at all, maybe they didn’t dare. Maybe they simply believed he was doing what was best for Palenor.

It felt like a stone sank in her gut. For the first time since they’d taken her captive, she accepted that Thane couldn’t come for her. She was on her own. Perhaps Thane’s injuries were too much. Maybe the note was sent by someone else to torment her, give her false hope where there was none.

Flashes of crimson stained her mind. Death haunted her like howling winds in a winter storm. First her parents, Novak, then Reina… Thane. She pressed a hand to her chest, willing the pressure to ease the pain throbbing there. It didn’t. With an aching heart, she leaned back and closed her eyes. She didn’t want to sleep. The faces of the guards she killed, and her last moments with Thane would haunt her there, but the swaying of the wagon made her limbs heavy, made her breaths become shallow and even, until the swish of horse tails and the steady march of the army lulled her to slumber…

Come to me.I need you.Layala turned at the sound of the voice. “Thane?” she called.

She stood on a stone pathway in a garden surrounded by tall exotic trees with blooms of lavender and blush. This place was familiar, but somehow, she knew it existed only in her dreams. The sweet, rich scent of jasmine drifted on warm air. She’d always loved that smell. It made her feel at home. Her fingers brushed the open petals of midnight lilies as she passed them in a slow gait. She looked up, stars winked above, and a full moon coated the garden in its pale light. It was so beautiful here. “Thane, where are you?” she had to see him, even if it wasn’t real.

“Hello, love. I’m here.”

He sounded slightly different than she remembered but it must be him. That deep voice sent chills down her spine, and she smiled, almost giddy. She turned, ready to throw her arms around him, but her surroundings shifted to a figure in a black cloak, not Thane. Some instinct deep inside told her to run. Picking up the long fabric of her scarlet dress, she took off, tearing through a now dark, haunting forest. Wolf howls and owl hoots and glowing yellow eyes seemed to follow her. The hooded figure laughed and laughed echoing all around the inky blackness, surrounding her like a cloud. His footsteps slammed the ground trailing close behind her, too close.

The hooded figure appeared in front of her, and she skidded to a halt, stumbling backward. He advanced with slow, methodical steps. “Don’t run. It’s beneath you.”